Attachment fitting



Feb. 20, 1934. c. E. LEAR 1,947,995

ATTACHMENT FITTING Filed March 23, 1932 IN V EN TOR. CLYDE EDWARD LEAR BY m. w.

A TTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1934 v p UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICET 1,947,995 ATTACHMENT FITTING Clyde Edward Lear, Monessen, Pa., assignor to Page .Steel and Wire Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 23, 1932. Serial No. 600,591

8 Claims. (Cl. .248'31) The present invention relates to improvements in attachment fittings and has for an object to provide a convenient support for longitudinal members, such as the tension members of a fence, highway guard or the like.

The invention is adapted more specifically for the attachment of ribbon-like tension members to fixed supports such as wooden or metal posts.

An object of the invention is to provide an attachment fitting comprising a pair of separable parts which may be closed about the tension member and then be secured to the support, in such a way that said parts will be locked against separation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp for securing a tension member to a support in which the tension member will be held frictionally against movement through the clamp so that a certain amount of resistance will be offered to longitudinal movement of the tension member. 'An' advantage of this arrangement. is to be found particularly in connection with highway guards or barriers because an impact on the tension member at one point will not be confined to the length of this member be-' tween adjacent posts but will be felt by panels on opposite sides of the particular panel bearing the blunt of the impact, and the shock will be taken up by a considerable length of the tension member. V 7

With the above-named objectsand advantages in view and others which will appear hereinafter I shall now describe certain embodiments of my invention and thereafter shall point out the novelty and scope of the invention in the claims.-

In the accompanying drawing;

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a highway guard employing my improved attachment fitti s;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of one embodiment of my invention, a portion thereof being broken away to reveal interior details;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a view in section taken substantially on the irregular line 4- 4 of Fig. 2; 1

Fig.5 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same partly broken away; and

Fig. 7 is a View in section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

I have shown in Figure 1 a portion of a highway guard comprising a pair of ribbon-like tension members 10 supported on fixed posts 11 by means of my improved attachment fittings. As

shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4 the attachment fitting comprises a base bracket 12 which is preferably in the form of a hollow casting of. substantially rectangular cross-section. Th

casting is formed with feet 13 located respectivelyat the four corners of the casting. To adapt the casting to posts of round cross-section the casting is formed with arcuate recesses 14 in the top and bottom Walls, conforming more or less to the curvature of the posts, and also with recesses 15 in the side walls, so as to clear any irregularities in the surface of the post. Hence, the casting will engage the post only on the four feet 13. These feet may be provided with arcuate K bearing faces as shown in Fig. 4, or, if desired, may be of a construction shown in Fig. 6, so as to have only a line bearing on the post. The advantage of the construction shown in Fig. 6 is that the same casting may also be used for a post of square cross-section. I

The outer end of the casting 12 is provided with a flat bearing face 16 against which are fitted outer and innerclamping members 17 and 18 respectively. The inner clamping member 18 has lateral sliding engagement with the outer clamping member 17. The member 17 is roughly C-shape in cross-section and encompassesthe inner member. The latter is formed with flanges 19 at the top and bottom which engages rabbets 20 formed in the member 17. The main body of the inner clamping member, however, is of such depth that when the two clamping memfbers are applied to the casting 12, in the manner shown in Fig. 2, the body of the inner member will not contact with the face 16 of the caste ing 12. The legs of the C-shaped member 1'7 are formed with lugs 21 which are adapted to enter suitable sockets or openings formed in the bearing face 16 of the casting l2.

The inner member 18 is formed with a recess 22 to receive the head 23 of a bolt 24. This bolt passes through a hole 25 in the body of the clamping member 18 and also through a central hole 26 in the bearing face of the casting 12. The hole 25 is rectangular so as to receive a rectangu lar portion 27 of the bolt 24. The shank of the bolt passes through the post 11 and is secured thereto by means of a nut 28 and washer 29 as shown in Fig. 2. A transverse slot 30 is formed in the innerface of the member 17 to receive thetension member 10. The depth of the slotBO, however, is such that the tension member will be gripped with a certain degree of friction between the two clamp- I ing members 17 and 18.

In applying the fitting the bolt 24 is first passed through the clamp 18 and then is passed through the casting 12 and the post 11. The nut and washer is then applied to the bolt, but is not drawn up tight, sufficient slack being provided to permit the lugs 21 to clear the face 16 when the member 17 is fitted upon the member 13. The member 17 is now fitted over the ribbon 10 and the latter is received in the slot 30. Then the member 17 is slid lengthwise of the ribbon so that the flanges 19 will engage the rabbets 20 and the lugs 21 will be brought into alinement with the sockets in the bearing face 16. Thereafter the nut 28 is tightened to draw the parts together and secure them to the posts. Because of the engagement of the lugs 21 with the recesses in the bearing face 16 it will be impossible for member 17 to slide out of engagement with the member 18 as long as the bolt 24 is kept tight. The bolt 24 thus serves not only to hold the members 17 and 18 in engagement but also to clamp said members to the casting 12 to the post 1 1.

The construction shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, is, in principle, the same as that described above, but involves a cheaper construction because the parts are stamped out of sheet metal. The fitting comprises a base bracket 31 which is of U-shape and is adapted to be secured to the post 11 with the plane of the U lying parallel to the axis of the post. The legs of the bracket are formed with arcuate recesses 32, as shown in Fig. 6, leaving feet 33 which are tapered to provide point or knife contact with the post. The body or outer end of the bracket is formed with a rectangular recess 34 as shown in Fig. '7.

A pair of clamping members are provided, the outer clamping member 35 being substantially of C-shape, while the inner clamping member 36 is substantially of U-shape. The legs of the U- shape member 36 are turned outwardly at their ends, as shown at 3'7, so as to engage the legs 38 of the C-shape member 35. The legs 38 are bent backwardly, as shown at 39, so that they lie parallel to the legs of the member 36. The body of the member 36 as well as the ends 39. of the outer member 35 are adapted to enter the opening 34 in the bracket 31.

The U-shape member 36 provides a recessed seat for the head 40 of a bolt 41. The shank of this bolt passes through a hole in the member 36 and thence extends through the post 11.

The free end of the bolt is fitted with a nut 42 and a washer 43 so that by screwing up this nut the member 36 will be drawn tightly into the recess 34 and will also draw the member 35 therein, at the same time clamping the bracket 31 to the post 11. A space 44 is provided between the members 35 and 36 which is just wide enough to provide a snug fit for the tension member 10. The bolt 41 is provided with a square head which is prevented from turning when the bolt 42 is tightened by reason of its close engagement with the legs of the U-shape member 36.

' The assembly of this fitting is similar to that described above, the bolt 41 is first passed through the member 36 and through the post 11 and is temporarily held by means of the nut 42, but with considerable slack between the member 36 and the bracket 31. The outer clamping member 35 is then fitted over the ribbon 10 and slide lengthwise of the ribbon until it engages the lateral extension 37 of the member 36. Thereafter the nut 42 is tightened so as to draw the member 36 into the recess 34 and at the same time draw the extensions 39 of the members 35 intosaid recess.

As the nut 42 is tightened the feet 33 of the bracket will bite into the post 11 and squarely anchor the fitting to said post. The clamping members will then be held from turning or twisting one with respect to the other by their engagement with the recess 34, and it will be impossible for them to come apart unless the bolt 41 is released.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated and described above and that I reserve the right to make such changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts as may fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a support, said fitting comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to engage opposite sides of the tension member and slidable into interlocking engagement one with the other lengthwise of the tension member, and means for simultaneously securing said members to the support and locking them against relative sliding movement without tightly gripping said tension member.

2. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a support, said fitting comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to engage opposite sides of the tension member and slidable into interlocking engagement one with the other, and a 1 base bracket adapted to bear at one end on the support and formed at the other end with a seat for the clamping members, and means for locking said members upon said bracket and saidbracket upon said support.

3. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a support, said fitting comprising a base bracket adapted to bear at one end upon the support, the other end of the bracket being apertured, a pair of clamping members slidable one within the other and providing a slot therebetween to receive the tension member, the outer clamping member being formed with lugs to enter the apertured end of the bracket, and a boltseated in the innermember and extending through the bracket and support to lock the clamping members against relative movement and to secure said clamping, members and the bracket to said support.

4. A fittingfor attaching a tension member to a support, said fitting comprising a bracket adapted to bear at one end thereof upon said support and formed at the other end with apertures, an inner clamping member, a C-shaped outer clamping member slidable upon the inner member andl formed with lugs adapted to enter said apertures when the clampingmembers are in clamping position, the outer member being also formed witha recess extending therethrough to receive the tension member between the clamping members, a. bolt having-the head thereof seated in. the inner member and the shank thereof passing through the bracket and support, and a nut on the bolt adjustable to lock the clamping members against relative movement and to secure the clamping members and the bracket to the support.

5. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a support, said fitting comprising a bracket formed with an opening at one end thereof and with feet at the other end to engage said support, an inner clamping member adapted to be seated in the opening, a O-shaped outer clamping member slidable upon the inner member and formed with lugs adapted to enter. said opening whenv the clamping members are in clamping position, the

outer. member being formedwith a recess extend-.

ing therethrough to receive the tension member between the clamping members, a bolt having the head thereof seated in the inner member and the shank thereof passing through the bracket and support, and a nut on the bolt adjustable to lock the clamping members against relative movement and to secure the clamping members and the bracket to the support.

6. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a post of round cross-section, saidfitting comprising a bracket formed with knife-edged feet to engage the post, the knife edges being disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the post, the bracket being also formed with openings at its outer end, and outer clamping members relatively slidable in interlocking engagement with each other and adapted respectively to engage opposite sides of the tension member, the outer clamping member being formed with lugs adapted to be seated in said openings when the clamping members are in clamping position, and a bolt seated in the inner member and extending through the bracket and a support to lock the clamping members against relative movement and to secure said clamping members and said bracket to the support.

'7. A fitting for attaching a tension member to a post of round cross-section, said fitting comprising a bracket of substantially rectangular cross-section with an arcuate base conforming substantially to the curvature of the postandhaving feet at the corners thereof to engage the post,

the outer end of the bracket being formed with openings therein, inner and outer clamping members adapted respectively to engage opposite sides of said tension member, said clamping members being slidable one upon the other in interlocking engagement, the outer member being formed with lugs adapted to enter the openings in the bracket, and a bolt seated in the inner member and passing through the bracket and the support to lock the clamping members against relative movement and to secure said clamping members and the bracket to said support.

8. A fitting .for attaching a tension member to a post of round cross-section, said fitting comprising a U-shape bracket of sheet metal with the plane of the U substantially parallel to the axis of the post, each leg of the U being formed with an arcuate recess conforming substantially to the curvature of the post and terminating at each end in a knife edge projection adapted to engage the post, the outer end of the bracket being formed with a rectangular aperture, an inner clamping member formed of sheet metal and adapted to enter the aperture, an outer C-shaped clamping member of sheet metal slidable upon the inner member, said clamping members providing therebetween a slot to receive the tension member, the outer clamping member being formed. with lug extensions also adapted to be seated in said aperture, and a bolt for securing the clamping members together and the bracket to the post.

CLYDE EDWARD LEAR. 

